Summer is here, and you know what that means – pool parties! While I love the usual BBQ pool party, sometimes you want to serve something a little lighter and less complicated. These 21+ tasty pool party appetizers are perfect for this occasion and will keep everyone cool and happy.
21+ Delicious Pool Party Appetizers to Keep Everyone Cool and Happy
1. Cucumber Hummus Bites
Simple yet delicious. Slices of cucumber topped with your favorite hummus, half of a cherry tomato, feta cheese crumbles and fresh parsley. I love a good roasted red pepper hummus, but you can use whatever flavor you like or make your own.
Here’s a great homemade hummus recipe to try:
2. Mini Pimento Cheese Balls
These mini pimento cheese balls are always a crowd-pleaser, and they’re best served right out of the fridge. Each cheese ball is made of a blend of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pimentos and spices rolled in crushed pecans and chives.
This appetizer will need some time to chill in the refrigerator, so you may want to make these the night before the party. Before serving, insert a cracker into the top of each cheese ball.
3. Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels
Figs and goat cheese are the perfect combination and make for a great summertime treat. This recipe combines these ingredients with puff pastry for a flaky, delicious appetizer everyone will love.
While you can use fig jam or preserves for these pinwheels, I highly recommend using fresh or dried figs. They give these appetizers such a refreshing flavor. I also like to drizzle a little honey on top before serving for a hint of sweetness.
Related: 25+ Fresh Peach Recipes That Will Make Summer Your Favorite Season
4. Strawberry Basil Brie Bites
One of the easiest appetizers on this list and one of my favorites because they’re so flavorful. The combination of strawberries, fresh basil and Brie is a delight for the tastebuds. A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds just a hint of sourness to round out the flavors.
You can serve these on toothpicks or fancy cocktail skewers.
My recommendation: use the freshest basil you can get your hands on. And if you’re not a fan of Brie, you can use cheddar instead.
5. Ritz Cracker Canapes
One of my favorite pool party appetizers is a tray of simple Ritz crackers with tons of different toppings. They’re super easy to make, they look fancy and they taste amazing.
This recipe calls for slices of ham, salami and cheese as well as cooked shrimp and smoked salmon. If you’re worried about the heat, you can skip these ingredients and just top your crackers with hummus, cheese spread, sundried tomato pate or even guacamole.
The author of this recipe shares so many great topping ideas, so be sure to experiment before the party to see which combos you like best.
6. Prosciutto Melon & Mozzarella Skewers
These skewers are the epitome of summer. Refreshing, satisfying and easy to eat. To make this quick and easy appetizer, just thread cantaloupe melon balls onto a small skewer along with thinly sliced prosciutto, marinated mozzarella balls and fresh basil leaves.
Top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and serve. I recommend using a melon baller for this recipe to make sure your melons are just the right size.
7. Mini Chicago Style Dogs
How cute are these mini hot dogs? They’re perfect for a summer pool party, but be warned: they won’t last long.
They’re super simple to make. Just wrap cocktail sausages in biscuit dough. Top with whatever you want – mustard, mayo, diced tomatoes, pickles. The possibilities are endless.
8. Watermelon Feta Mint Skewers
Watermelon is a staple at every pool party, and I love this appetizer because it really adds to the refreshing flavor of this summer fruit.
Plus, skewers make it so easy to eat after hopping out of the pool.
You’ll need cubed watermelon, cubes of feta (buy the block, not crumbled), mint leaves and some balsamic glaze.
9. Tomato Crostini with Pesto Ricotta
Who doesn’t love crostini? I prefer this recipe for summer parties over regular bruschetta because the toppings stay on the toast. Plus, you get to decorate each crostini with prosciutto roses, a spoonful of fresh tomatoes and fresh basil leaf.
Suddenly, your crostini become works of art.
Just be sure to keep these refrigerated until everyone is ready to eat.
10. Sweet Watermelon Pizza
A healthy appetizer that everyone will love. Top thick slices of watermelon with Greek yogurt, shredded coconut, mint, berries and almonds.
I prefer blueberries because the flavors pair well and the colors are so pretty, but you can also add blackberries, strawberries and raspberries if you want. Feel free to use any kind of nut you want or skip it entirely.
For an extra dose of sweetness, drizzle each pizza with some honey.
11. Apricot Bites
Pool party appetizers don’t have to be complicated or expensive. This recipe is proof of that. All you need are four ingredients: dried apricot, fresh goat cheese, dried cranberries and fresh thyme.
Top each apricot slice with the cheese, a single dried cranberry and a tiny sprig of thyme. Easy!
12. Mini Cucumber Sandwiches
I don’t know about you, but I always associate cucumber sandwiches with summer. They’re light and refreshing, which makes them perfect for a pool party appetizer.
Plus, the sandwich filling is so easy to make. Mix cream cheese and mayo with fresh dill and chopped chives. Add freshly sliced cucumbers and top with everything bagel seasoning. Slice and serve.
13. Mini Gazpacho Cucumber Shooters
How adorable are these cucumber shooters? Each bite-sized cucumber tube is filled with a delicious and refreshing, homemade cold tomato soup. Top with fresh dill sprigs and serve.
My tip: Be careful not to cut out the bottom of the cucumber tube. The sides and bottom should be about 1/4″ thick to keep the gazpacho contained.
Related: 25 Easy Party Appetizers You Can Whip Up in No Time
14. Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip
Here’s a fresh take on one of the most classic pool party appetizers. Slice up a watermelon into strips (fry-like shapes) and top with Tajin seasoning. Serve with a homemade coconut yogurt and lime dip that is absolutely divine.
15. Chocolate Coconut Pineapple Pops
Pineapple is a little underrepresented on the list today, but here’s a recipe that teaches you how to make delectable coconut pops with chocolate. For this recipe, all you need is:
- Pineapple
- Semi-sweet chocolate
- Shredded coconut
And don’t forget to buy lollipop sticks for this recipe versus the standard popsicle sticks.
16. Balsamic Blackberry Bruschetta
Blackberries on top of bruschetta with basil, honey, olive oil, salt, balsamic vinegar and whole milk ricotta tastes so good. The flavors mix perfectly together, and it’s as simple as toasting your French bread cuts with olive oil, spreading the ricotta on it, and adding leaves of basil with your blackberries.
Drizzle honey on top and enjoy.
17. Watermelon Popsicles with Chocolate
Kids and adults will adore these adorable popsicles, but they’re almost too cute to eat. You’ll need watermelon, chocolate wafers, candy eyes and popsicle sticks for this appetizer. It’s a super simple recipe to follow and one that you can whip up in 20 minutes.
18. Orange Ice Cream Cups
I’ve never seen an appetizer quite like these ice cream cups, but the flavor is intense and fresh. You’ll need an orange that you’ll use for the zest, juice and to act as a cup for your ice cream. On top, you’ll add your orange zest and mint. This no-churn recipe calls for:
- Condensed milk
- Cold whipping cream
- Orange zest
- Orange juice
- Orange liqueur
- Sea salt
- Mint tops
An electric mixer and brownie tin will also help. Skip the liqueur for a family-friendly treat.
19. Strawberry Spinach Bruschetta
Strawberries make the perfect pool party appetizers, don’t they? You’ll make 20 bruschettas with this recipe, which calls for baby spinach leaves, strawberries, a loaf of French bread, Greek yogurt, almond slivers and sesame seeds.
For the dressing, you’ll need honey, olive oil, paprika, sea salt, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.
20. Strawberry Salsa
Five ingredients are all you need for this strawberry salsa. And it takes just 10 minutes, so you’ll have time to make this even if you’re busy working on your tan. You’ll need:
- Strawberries
- Red onion
- Jalapeno, seeded
- Lime juice from a large limit
- Cilantro
All that’s left to do is mix all of the ingredients together well, toss and let it sit for a few minutes so that all the flavors mix well. Serve with chips and enjoy.
21. Watermelon Caprese
Small caprese bites are always a simple option on a hot summer day. You’ll need a star cookie cutter for this recipe. Cut your watermelon slices with a large cutter and the mozzarella with a smaller one because the cheese will sit on top of the watermelon.
And for the final piece, top with a blueberry and hold it all together with a toothpick.
Basil leaves can sit on the side and add a fresh flavor, while a drizzle of balsamic vinegar completes the taste.
Related: 25+ Delicious Blueberry Recipes to Make All Summer Long
22. Watermelon Canapes
Refreshing and delicious, these small watermelon canapes are the perfect poolside appetizer that everyone will love. And there’s not much that goes into this appetizer. You’ll cube the watermelon and use a peeler to cut up your cucumber.
Wrap the cucumber slices around the watermelon, put a mint leaf between the two beforehand, and then top with a blueberry.
If it’s an especially warm day, everyone will appreciate the freshness of this appetizer.
